Mom's Backbone

Episode 1: A Promise before mother

In the country of Timor-Leste, during the Indonesian invasion, there was a family consisting of a single mother named Maria Santa and her husband named Martin Richard. They had 8 children. Of the 8 siblings, 2 girls and 6 boys. In 1976, Maria lost her husband due to death. Her husband was sick and dead. When Martin died, their last child was only 3 months old. Where the widowed mother did not know how to run a small business, did not know how to sell goods, because her life was only a homemaker and all this time her husband worked as a shoe tailor. Usually her husband received shipments from shoe entrepreneurs from Portuguese business people and started to make all the materials to be made into shoes. Since her husband died, no one knew about the business, not even their children knew about it at all. So it was very difficult for Mother Maria to support her children. Their children have the following names:

The first children were named Salustian Richard (1954), Matthew Richard (1956), Merry Richard (1958), Julian Richard (1961), Mariano Richard (1965), Antony Richard (1969), Lauren Richard (1974) and Guilherme Richard (1976). They all have different surgical properties.

The first child is smart, likes school, and likes to help his parents. The second child is lazy, often does not attend class and is lazy enough to help his parents, and also Papa Martin prefers Matthew because his face is like his. Merry is a woman, so she was not allowed to go to high school at that time. Julian is the most optimistic child for learning and always becomes the first place in class even in writing competitions, painting competitions, and poetry reading competitions. Mariano is a child who always follows in Julian's footsteps. He loves Julian very much. Whatever Julian orders, he always follows and they both take care of their younger brother. Antony is more with and obeys Julian, but not with Mariano, because Mariano likes to make himself like a boss in the family. Lauren is a small child who is always accompanied by her older sister Merry. Guilherme is the youngest child. Of course, he is a real mama's boy.

In 1976, Maria and Martin's first child was already 20 years old, and at that time, there was a dire need for additional soldiers to fight the war between Timor-Leste and Indonesia. At that time, Maria absolutely refused to allow Salustian to register for the army, and their conversation began.

Maria: Son, can't you join the army enlistment?

Salustian: Why, Mom? I really like being a soldier.

Maria: Son, I've already lost your father, and I don't want to lose you again, son.

Salustian: No, Mom. Timor-Leste will lose all its life and wealth if I don't join it.

Maria: For you, Mom, you're the most important thing. I've already lost my world.

Salustian: Mom, if you feel that way, I feel that way too. I'll lose so much if we don't become independent.

Maria: Think about it. I need you more, son. You're the firstborn in this family.

Salustian: No, Mom, this country needs me more to fight for Timor-Leste's independence.

Maria: If you're different from other people, son, people will say you're the traitor because you look more Chinese. Please trust me.

Salustian: Mom, I will show that person that I am a brave Timorese hero. You mustn't think about too many things. Do you know? When I succeed in the war, I will take you around Timor-Leste. And do you know that if I succeed, I will get a medal that will make you and Dad proud? And most honorably, when you walk, you will be escorted by many people. Our lives will change, and my younger siblings' futures will shine. I don't want to go to school anymore, but Mom, promise me that my younger siblings will go to school, okay?

Maria: I can't go against your wishes. Whatever you want, I only support you, even if not with money, but my prayers are always for you.

From the deep conversation between Maria and Salustian, Julian listened to all the stories. Julian is the smartest child after Salustian. Julian is very close to Salustian compared to his other siblings. Julian always gets advice from Matthew's older brother.

Salustian: Come here, Julian. Why are you listening from afar? Come sit next to me.

Julian: Bro, why did you leave us? Why did you choose the peace of the country over the peace of your family? You don't love Mom and us? We're still small, we need you. After Dad's gone, who will take care of us if you're not around?

Salustian: Hey, why are Mom and you making things difficult for me? I love you guys more, that's why I prefer long-term peace. You know what, Julian? If you're successful in your role, I'll definitely buy you anything you want.

Julian: Bro, Julian just wants you, not money or possessions. Living with my mother, brother, and younger siblings is my lifelong dream, bro.

Salustian: Oh... you forgot, you're my smartest little brother, and I might end up being your bodyguard. Hehehehe.... I promise you, that whatever happens in the future, you will always be a good brother and sister to them. I only trust you. Because Matthew doesn't want to try hard and Merry is a girl. So, from now on, I promise you that you will always be by your mother and all your siblings' side. Life or death must be together. Don't lose heart while you have the chance to do your best. Make sure you do well for them all and make sure they are safe.

Julian: I will do everything, but I have one request. Isn't there much?

Salustian: Is it okay to have lots of toys? Or do you want to go to school in Soibada? I'm ready, okay?

Julian: I don't want anything, I just want you to come home and be together. I promise to be safe in this war. I believe you and mother need you the most out of all of us. I don't know how my mother will feel and what her life will be like if you are no longer by her side.

Salustian: Hey Julian and Mother. You will never lose me even if I am not here. My name always makes you shine. I will be a national hero that your children will be proud of, and they will be touched when I am not here. I can live under my name, even though I am not physically there. I will not let myself die just like that. I died for the people of Timor-Leste. I am happy when I die for the people of Timor-Leste and I will also show the community that even though our faces look like China, we are not traitors to our country. We are also Timorese. We do have Chinese blood, but we were born in Timor-Leste. Julian and Ibu, try to look out there. There are those who are losing everything to the country of Timor-Leste. It is not good if you do not have nationalism for your own country. It is better for me to die for my country than to live and see and hear from others that my country is not my own country. From now on, you are not allowed to call yourself a hero if you still want yourselves to survive and let other people live in misery and receive justice. Is this what you call love for your country? This is the most accurate example of your traitors to the country. I don't want any of us to be like that. We will all fight for the country, even if we don't have the same function, portion, or position. Before I die, I will remind you that I have planted something good in all of you.

Julian: Whatever you want, we will do it, brother. We will be very proud to have a brother like you. We know you will definitely come home.

Salustian: Please call everyone here. I have something to say to you before I go into debt to carry out my mission.

Julian went to the porch of the house looking for his two older brothers and younger siblings. The first ones Julian found were Mathew and Merry. They were in the kitchen. Merry was cooking and Mathew was chopping firewood, but he was complaining and feeling bad because he was always given the heavy work while his younger siblings got the light work. But Mathew got the job because it was according to his age and position, like the second brother, but what he saw was the negative side. The one who usually divided the tasks was Salustian. Mathew was very angry with Salustian, who always gave him the heavy work. Merry was also annoyed because Merry could only cook and was not allowed to wear it, it was impolite, and she had to make sure her younger siblings had eaten before Merry ate. Merry and Mathew really hated Salustian because, for them, Salustian behaved like he was their father. But they didn't know that Salustian loved them very much. Salustian taught them to carry out their responsibilities when Salustian was no longer around because their mother was not good at earning money.

Julian: Brother Matew and Sister Merry, you were called by Brother Salustian. I'm going to look for someone else.

Mathew: Looking for what? Can't you see what I'm doing?

Merry: Yeah, I don't know, this kid is the one who's always trying to impress Brother Salustian. He's definitely talking about our mistakes. I already know that.

Mathew: What? I was working like that, saying I made a mistake. If he says I'm the one causing the problem, I won't keep quiet, I'll confront him. After that, I'll just stay at Grandma's house. It's safer because Grandma is with me.

Avo Meme, Maria's mother, is her grandmother. Her house is always open to her grandchildren when they are fighting.

Julian is searching for his younger siblings in various places. Some are playing behind the house, some are playing at their neighbor's house, and some are playing at their grandmother's house with their cousins. During the search, Julian, Mathew, and Merry talk about Salustian and Julian, who both look like Chinese children in their family, are the most united, and are the two smartest.

Mathew: What kind of person is this? He talks so much, it's so boring. I'm tired of listening to his lectures.

Merry: Hey, Mathew, you shouldn't do that. You can only talk about him behind his back, try talking to him in front of him.

Matthew: Hey, I always talk to him in front of him, and we always fight. He's a mommy's boy. Mom always talks to him. I'm tired of living in this house because everyone has to listen and obey his orders. Back then, we still had dad, who was called like that. I didn't want to come, and he didn't do anything to me because dad always talked to me.

Merry: Be careful what Salustian says behind his back. You're his spy.

Matthew: Just wait and see, until he tells Salustian. I'll definitely get a s******g, but after that, I'll be the first brother here and I'll teach this smart and holy Julian a lesson.

Merry: Come on... If you go inside, he'll get scolded again because we're the two oldest, but if we come in late, it'll just add to the problem. I'm tired of being scolded by him all the time. He treats us like his slaves.